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WESTPORT, Conn. – In just two years, Westport’s population has grown by more than 2 percent, according to recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bureau last Thursday released its 2012 population estimates, which shows that Westport’s population grew by 2.35 percent from an estimated 26,446 in April 2010, to an estimated 27,068 by last July. That’s an increase of 622 people.

"Westport is a great place to live and raise a family, and it is only getting better," said Westport resident and developer David Waldman, who wasn't surprised by the town's growth.

Waldman attributes the town's growth to its many assets, including the school system, proximity to Manhattan, the library, beaches, Longshore Club Park, the Levitt Pavilion, Westport Arts Center and Westport Country Playhouse.

He also credits the new developments in Saugatuck, the town's growing dining scene "and of course, Main Street and the fantastic shopping."

The Bureau uses data on births, deaths and migration to calculate population changes. The new population estimates did not include a demographic breakdown.

Percentage wise, Westport’s population growth topped that of Fairfield County, which increased by 1.63 percent over the same time period. The country grew by over 15,000 people, from an estimated 918,814 in 2010, to 933,835 in 2012—the fastest growth in Connecticut over the two-year span.

“We are on a strong course,” said Lisa Mercurio of the Business Council of Fairfield County, referring to the county as a whole. “You don’t want to see people moving from the region.”

Mercurio, who works as the director of Fairfield County Information Exchange for the business council and tracks population information, added that the county’s population increase is in line with where it has been, and where a University of Connecticut database projects the population to be by 2025.

According to the UConn database, the county’s population will increase anywhere from about 1 percent to 8 percent depending on the fertility level.

Here's a look at the new population estimates for nearby towns:

? Darien: Increased 1.64 percent from 20,774 in 2010 to 21,114 in 2012.

? Fairfield: Increased 1.6 percent from 59,497 in 2010 to 60,450 in 2012.

? New Canaan: Increased 1.7 percent from 19,773 in 2010 to 20,110 in 2012.

? Norwalk: Increased 1.38 percent from 86,001 in 2010 to 87,190 in 2012.

? Ridgefield: Increased 1.48 percent from 24,680 in 2012 to 25,045 in 2012.

? Weston: Increased 1.50 percent from 10,197 in 2010 to 10,350 in 2012.

? Wilton: Increased 3.0 percent from 18,074 in 2010 to 18,617 in 2012.